'Tis the dawn of the fairy day!"

At the last stroke of twelve, a troop of fairies and wood nymphs
appeared. They danced merrily to the tune of the flower bells, forming a
ring around the children.

When the sun's rays began to shine through the branches of the trees,
the fairies tripped away. Only the Dew Fairy remained. She sprinkled dew
upon the children's faces with her magic wand.

The Dew Fairy sang,

"Awake you, O children dear,
Wake you and rise!
The sun glowing brightly, peeps
Into your eyes!"

Then the Dew Fairy departed.

"O Hansel! Hear the birds singing! Where are we?" exclaimed Gretel.
"Come, Hansel, wake up!"

The children looked about them in wonder. The giant trees had
disappeared, and near them stood a little house.

"What a pretty cottage!" said Hansel. "Why, it is a candy house! The
roof is chocolate, and the windows are sugar plums. What a queer fence!
It is gingerbread!"

Soon they heard some one say, in a squeaky voice,